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I wanted to share with you all my latest tweak for my 2016 SH-AWD. The roads in Cleveland, Ohio are pretty rough and one of the first things I noticed with my car was the rough ride, especially at the 38 PSI that the dealership had set. In fact, it wasn’t until I lowered them to about 32 PSI that I would say that I found the ride to be acceptable. Note: your experiences may vary depending on road conditions - but Ohio has a reputation for having some of the worst. Of course, 32 PSI is too close to 28 — the first cold morning set off my tire pressure warnings that wouldn’t go away until the tires got pumped back up to 33. Anyway…
So I “downgraded” (dealer’s term, not mine) to 18 inch wheels and dropped the all-seasons for summer performance tires — Michelin Pilot Super Sports (I’ll be switching to winter tires in a month so I don’t die prematurely on the wintry roads). Holy cow, what a difference! I’m not a “car guy” so for me to notice the difference, it either has to be significant, or I’m doing a really good job of fooling myself. Having the extra half inch of sidewall makes the car ride better at 36 PSI than the all-season tires at 32 PSI. Plus, the tires grip a lot better, which makes it more fun when I…um…play with my accelerator. With the all-seasons, my traction control kept mitigating my…um…fun.
Also, I thought the price for the actual Acura RLX 18” wheels (north of $700 a piece) was ridiculous. Plus, I wasn't too fond of the look with my exterior color--I went with a lighter color exterior because of the impossibility of keeping a car clean in the winter. I usually go with silver. I really wish Acura had stayed with a true silver color instead of the blue-ish silver that they introduced in 2016. So I decided to find an after-market wheel that would give the car a bit more masculinity. In my opinion, the wheels offset the overall color.
Anyway, that’s my two cents on the wheels and tires. If any of you northerners are looking for a better ride with grippier tires, I recommend the above…but I’m far from a qualified reviewer.
Wow, that is exactly what I am going to do once these 19"/40's wear out. Or maybe before if I become convinced that it can help my unfixable suspension rattle.
The real problem is that the RLX suspension totally lacks the design and competence to handle such a short sidewall. But some do like that 'hard rubber tire' type feel of the road.
Curious,,, I am suspecting you just swapped the tire pressure sensors to the new wheels?
Yes, I swapped the tire pressure sensors. Dealer said they ran into a bit of trouble getting them attached to the new wheels and they recommend that they don't get moved again -- which is fine. I'll just be swapping tires every season rather than wheels and tires.
I've driven my car from the country in Virginia to Mid-Ohio a couple of times, and I've driven to Florida and back, and I'd never THINK of doing what some of you are doing.
Wouldn't even cross my mind.
Perhaps I am lucking out and just not running across the worst of the roads that you guys have to deal with. But in the other hand I've driven fairly quickly on crowned macadam roads out in the most ridiculous places, and I still wouldn't think of changing wheels or tires.
10-20-2015, 04:07 PM
I do like my 20's, as the ride is essentially the same as the stock 19's....and I like a firm ride, but that's just me.
